Chapter 17 - Witnesses

Senators as witnesses

Where the Senate conducts an inquiry directly it may order one of its members to appear (SO 177(1)). A committee, however, has no power to summon a senator. In case of refusal by a senator of a request to attend a committee, the committee must report the refusal to the Senate, and the Senate may order the senator to attend the committee (SO 177(2) and (3)). In practice, these procedures are not used; senators often voluntarily offer their views and information to committees. (See Supplement)